Pirate life fishing co

Pirate life fishing co Commercial fisherman, selling fish and charters

Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi).A pelagic species that is both abundant but not well known in the south island, and doesn’t g...
13/08/2026

Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi).

A pelagic species that is both abundant but not well known in the south island, and doesn’t get the respect it deserves when it comes to the plate.

It is fantastic as sashimi, smoked, baked, pan fried or seared, you name it!!

High in omega 3 fatty acids, this is a fish that is both healthy and delicious.

More common Oct-may but can be caught all year round🤙

John Dory ( Zeus faber).These cool looking dudes cruise along at slow speeds, ambushing small fish and then suck them up...
13/08/2026

John Dory ( Zeus faber).

These cool looking dudes cruise along at slow speeds, ambushing small fish and then suck them up by extending their telescopic mouths and inhaling them whole.

The spot on their side is meant to look like a large intimidating eye to scare off predators. They are even famous enough to be written about biblically.

I don’t need to bother writing too much about this fish, they are absolutely delicious, and if you see i have some for sale, you should absolutely try and be j***y on the spot to get your hands on some!! 🤤

Blue Moki (Latridopsis Ciliaris).Another shellfish and crustacean eater, these thick lipped and handsome fish cruise ree...
13/08/2026

Blue Moki (Latridopsis Ciliaris).

Another shellfish and crustacean eater, these thick lipped and handsome fish cruise reef edges, sandy gutters and shorelines, vacuuming up small crabs, juvenile shellfish and other invertebrates.

I catch these fish all year round, but they aren’t a primary target for me.

They are particularly good as sashimi or in raw fish dishes, as steaks, and pan fried with the skin on. I particularly like them crumbed flesh side and pan fried with the skin on, in a citrus sauce like a lemon and dill with capers 👌

Also very good smoked.

Another budget friendly option 🤙

Elephantfish ( Callorhinchus milii).I catch these radical looking fish all year round.Primarily a shellfish eater, they ...
12/08/2026

Elephantfish ( Callorhinchus milii).

I catch these radical looking fish all year round.

Primarily a shellfish eater, they use their elephant like trunk to detect shellfish like tuatua in the sand and crush them with their extremely strong plates in their mouth.

They have extremely unique facial markings and colours with almost every one being different.

A premium fish and chip style fish, they have a low oil content and a very nice texture.

They are great battered and crumbed, in fish burgers, in a sweet and sour sauce and in a curry.

Another budget friendly option 🤙

Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu).These cool loooking fish swim along the bottom feeling for crabs and small fish.I catch t...
11/08/2026

Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu).

These cool loooking fish swim along the bottom feeling for crabs and small fish.

I catch these all year round but peak abundance is oct-may.

Gurnard have a succulent medium textured flesh with a mild flavour.

They go great in a batter or as fish tacos, pan fried or baked.

Always a popular option 🤙

Groper (Polyprion oxygeneios).Another one of my absolute favourites. These bullies of the reef swim around engulfing any...
11/08/2026

Groper (Polyprion oxygeneios).

Another one of my absolute favourites.

These bullies of the reef swim around engulfing anything that crosses their path.

I catch these fish all year round, with winter fish being in particularly good condition.

They have a high fat content and omega 3 levels especially when cooked in steaks or pan fried with the skin on.

An incredibly versatile fish that is also very forgiving and hard to over cook and dry out.

Available in whole fish or fillets and steaks.

There isn’t really a bad way to cook groper. It is fantastic as steaks, baked, pan fried (especially with skin on) any way you can imagine.

The wings are amazing smoked and have a particularly high omega 3 content, the frames are also delicious with the sweetest meat being closest to the bone. The cheek meat is a delicacy, and the heads make amazing smoked fish or the best base for a fish soup. The heads also make extremely good cray pot bait.

Right at the top of the best eating pile 🤙👌

Butterfish (Odax pullus) Another favourite of mine personally. I ate soo many crayfish and butterfish growing up i’m sur...
10/08/2026

Butterfish (Odax pullus) Another favourite of mine personally. I ate soo many crayfish and butterfish growing up i’m surprised i didn’t turn into one 😅

Unfortunately due to more terrible regulatory decisions, even sustainable methods like spear fishing have been banned for commercial fisherman locally so these tasty guys are an away trip fish for me, so not consistently available.

Absolutely delicious is the way i would describe them, with meaty flakes and a delicate but distinct flavour.

Another very versatile fish, be in quick if you see me advertise these🤙

Hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) a deep sea grenadier. This is another fish that has bad reputation amongst some that is...
10/08/2026

Hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) a deep sea grenadier. This is another fish that has bad reputation amongst some that is not deserved.

Probably from bad experiences with not so fresh and badly handled fish that have been trawl caught 20-80 tonne at a time, squashed and bruised and handled poorly.

However, when line caught and processed how all fish should be, (quickly dispatched, bled, gilled and gutted and iced down right away, they are absolutely delicious.

Caught all year round, but more abundant apr-september. The same fish that you had as a kid in fish fingers and the same fish in your fillet”o”fish at mcdonalds, except the line caught version is much better.

Another versatile fish that has a flakey texture, great crumbed, battered, in burgers, or in your favourite sauce or baking recipe.

Another budget freindly option 🤙

Our next species is the ling (Genypterus blacodes).I get these as bycatch while targeting bluenose and groper. Not a reg...
10/08/2026

Our next species is the ling (Genypterus blacodes).

I get these as bycatch while targeting bluenose and groper.

Not a regular catch but when it is available give it a go, it is a very forgiving fish that is moist and hard to over cook.

It is fantastic baked or grilled and also very nice smoked. Because it is moist it goes very well in sauces and curries and won’t dry out.

The swim bladder (ling maw) is also delicious fried in beef tallow as a snack 🤙

The next species is the ever popular Blue cod (Parapercis colias).The total allowable catch for this species for area 3 ...
09/08/2026

The next species is the ever popular Blue cod (Parapercis colias).

The total allowable catch for this species for area 3 (southeast) was cut by 31 tonne last year, despite absolutely zero evidence this was necessary and catch records showing a healthy and steady catch where commercial fisherman operate.

What this means is there is now less quota available, which puts cost to catch it through the roof and creates a massive supply and demand issue. What does this mean in plain english? It means you need to donate a kidney to buy it!!

I catch Blue cod all year round with prime condition being apr-oct. The only way i can make it affordable is whole fish ($32-34/kg gutted) this is the best option, especially for people that utilise the wings/frame and head.

The head makes a fantastic snack or soup broth, the wings are great grilled or smoked, the skin makes delicious fish bacon, and the frames are delicious dusted in flour and baked or grilled.

Fillets are $70-80kg, it is what it is.

It is a versatile fish that suits most cooking methods, and the winter fish with a fat layer are particularly good in sashimi dishes 🤤

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Banks Peninsula
Akaroa
7581

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